Deccan, Pune aim to rise from bottom in IPL clash

Hyderabad: Languishing at the bottom of the points table, Deccan Chargers and Pune Warriors would be playing for pride when they square off in an Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.

Both the teams have played 10 matches each so far and won three each thus having six points.

Though Deccan have been able to post competitive scores, their inability to put up a collective show and sloppy fielding has cost them dearly.

Despite making a good 175, the hosts lost to the Delhi Daredevils in their last match as two catches of Virender Sehwag were dropped.

Deccan Chargers captain Kumar Sangakkara felt that the two catches dropped by Ankit Sharma and Dwarka Ravi Teja cost them the match against Delhi Daredevils.

"I don`t think it is anything to do with luck. We had two opportunities to get Viru (Sehwag), had we held those catches, we would have won. It is getting to a point that is costing us games," a livid Sangakkara had said at the post-match press conference on Thursday last.

"If you miss those catches, a batsman of Sehwag`s class will make you pay. If you don`t hold on to the chances that you create, especially when that is wicket you need, it is tough to win the games."

Sangakkara also rubbished theories that the Uppal Stadium is turning out to be a jinxed ground.

"Jinx is a state of mind. When the crucial times come, it is the responsibility of the team to take the games and turn it around. Pressure is a constant factor in this format. You cannot play any professional sport without pressure.

"You have to learn and be mentally strong to try and meet those situations and raise your game," said the skipper.

The Pune Warriors too must clinch the game to continue the momentum which they found last night after losing seven match in IPL-IV.

All eyes would once again be on former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is yet to play for the team, despite being signed up last week as a replacement player.

Given Pune`s batting frailties, Ganguly could finally get a game to lend the line-up some strength.

Pune`s star batsman and captain Yuvraj, Jesse Ryder and Robin Uthappa also need to shine bright with the bat, while bowlers such as Rahul Sharma, who was the man of the match in their game against Kings XI Punjab, have to continue doing well.

"When I look at my team I can`t imagine how we lost so many games with that talent. We just haven`t clicked," Yuvraj had said after last night`s match.